Applegate, Roberta G., Papers, 1935-1987 (3840)

2 linear feet

INTRODUCTION

The papers of Roberta Applegate consist of awards, correspondence, miscellaneous material, newspaper clippings, and speeches. Applegate was a student at Michigan State University and reporter for the Associated Press of Michigan from 1935 through 1946, first female press secretary to the governor of Michigan from 1946 through 1949, reporter and editor for the Miami Herald from 1950 to 1964, and Associate Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication at Kansas State University in Manhattan from 1964 on.

DONOR INFORMATION

The papers were donated to the University of Missouri by Applegate on 20 October 1988 (Accession No. 4884). They are part of the National Women and Media Collection.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Roberta Applegate was one of the first female journalists in Michigan. She received her A.B. degree in German and French from the Michigan State University, East Lansing, in 1940, and her M.A. degree in journalism from Northwestern University in 1942. She then became a reporter for the Associated Press of Michigan. From 1947 to 1949 she was press secretary for Michigan Governor Kim Sigler, the first woman to hold that post. When Governor Sigler was not re-elected, Applegate became a reporter and editor for the Miami Herald in 1950. She wrote several newspaper articles about celebrities, handicapped children, nurses and widows. She remained with the Herald until 1964 when she became an Associate Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication at Kansas State University. Applegate has received many journalistic awards and held various positions in organizations involved with journalism.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection consists of articles, awards, correspondence, miscellaneous material, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, photographs, and speeches. Most of these papers were written by Applegate except the correspondence in the first four series and the newspaper articles written when she was press secretary. The papers are divided into five series:

The Student and Michigan Reporter series is arranged into three sections: corre-spondence, newspaper clippings, and miscellaneous. Within these sections the papers are arranged chronologically. The newspaper clippings are concerned with politics in Michigan.

The Michigan Press Secretary series is arranged into articles, correspondence, legislative material, messages, miscellaneous material, newspaper clippings, press releases, proclamations and speeches. Material within these sections is arranged chronologically. The speeches contain rough and finished copies of radio speeches that Applegate wrote for the governor. Most of the rough speeches do not appear as finished speeches.

The Miami Herald Reporter and Editor series is arranged into awards, certificates, correspondence, newspaper clippings, speeches, and Kansas State University; and then chrono-logically within these sections. She wrote a series of newspaper articles for the Herald about celebrities, handicapped children, nurses and widows.

The fourth series, Kansas State University Professor is arranged into awards, biographical articles, book reviews, Kansas Press Women, and professional activities. The Miscellaneous series consists of correspondence to her parents, arranged chronologically.

FOLDER LIST

Michigan Student and Reporter Series

f. 1-2Correspondence, 1943-1946
f. 3-7Newspaper clippings, 1941-1946
f. 8Miscellaneous, 1935-1944

Michigan Press Secretary Series

f. 9-11Articles and pamphlets, 1947-1948
f. 12-14Correspondence, 1946-1950
f. 15 Legislative material, 1947-1948
f. 16 Messages, 1947-1948
f. 17 Miscellaneous, 1947-1948
f. 18-19Newspaper clippings, 1947-1949
f. 20 Press releases, 1947-1948
f. 21 Proclamations, 1947
f. 22 Speeches, 1947-1948
f. 23-26Rough radio speeches, 1947-1948
f. 27-31Radio speeches, 1947-1948

Miami Herald Reporter and Editor Series

f. 32Award, 1957
f. 33Certificate, 1956-1964
f. 34-37Correspondence, 1954-1964
f. 38-43Newspaper clippings, 1952-1964
f. 44-45Speeches, 1950-1963
f. 46-47Kansas State University, 1964-1965

Kansas State University Professor Series

f. 48-50Awards, 1971-1985
f. 51Biographical articles, 1970-1986
f. 52Book reviews, 1978-1985
f. 53Kansas Press Women, 1977-1978
f. 54-56Professional activities, 1968-1987

Miscellaneous Series

f. 57-77Correspondence with her parents, 1942-1970

INDEX TERMS

These index terms are the subjects, people, places, etc. under which this collection is listed in all available indexes at the Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Columbia. If you are interested in a specific index term, please contact the reference staff.

  • Applegate, Roberta G.
  • Celebrities
  • Children--Diseases
  • Communism
  • Emotionally disturbed children
  • Handicapped Children
  • Journalism
  • Kansas. State University, Manhattan
  • Miami Herald, Miami, FL
  • National Women and Media Collection
  • Nursing
  • Radio addresses, debates, etc.
  • Radio scripts
  • Rewards (Prizes, etc.)
  • Sigler, Kim
  • Veterans
  • Widows